Bennington Post 266 Opens Postseason with Back-to-Back Wins in Area Tournaments

2–3 minutes

By Marisa Dawson, Photos by Jeff Douglas

A group of baseball players celebrating, with one player animatedly gesturing and engaging with another, while teammates cheer from the sidelines.

Bennington Post 266 is off to a strong start in postseason play, earning two convincing victories to advance through the opening weekend of district tournament action.

Bennington opened the tournament Friday with a dominant 17-0, two-inning shutout over Omaha Northwest before following it up Saturday with a hard-fought 6-5 victory over Skutt Catholic’s Franchise Sidekicks. The two wins moved Post 266 into Sunday’s matchup against Papillion/La Vista with a chance to continue its postseason run.

Friday’s opener was over almost as soon as it began.

Bennington exploded for 12 runs in the bottom of the first inning, sending 16 batters to the plate and taking complete control before adding five more runs in the second to end the game via the run rule.

A baseball player wearing a white uniform swings a bat at a pitched ball, while a catcher in a green and white uniform crouches behind home plate.

The offense produced 11 hits while drawing four walks and taking advantage of four Omaha Northwest errors.

Kellen Mlnarik crossed the plate three times, while Brendon Da Luz and Connor Smith each scored three runs. Smith finished 2-for-2 with three RBIs, Noah Langford went 2-for-3 with four RBIs, and Dominic Driggs added a 2-for-2 performance with two RBIs and a pair of runs scored.

Braydan Kloster also contributed a three-RBI day, highlighted by a home run, while every Bennington starter reached base.

On the mound, Baylor Uhing was nearly untouchable. The right-hander tossed a two-inning no-hitter, striking out all six outs he recorded without issuing a walk.

A baseball player sliding into second base while two fielders in green uniforms prepare to make a play. The scene displays action on a baseball diamond with a blurred background of a blue sky and fencing.

Saturday’s contest proved to be a much tougher challenge, but Bennington answered early adversity with timely hitting and strong pitching to earn a 6-5 victory over Skutt.

After falling behind 2-0 through the first two innings, Post 266 responded with a four-run second inning to seize the lead. The biggest swing came from the bottom of the lineup, where Dominic Driggs ripped a bases-clearing triple to drive in three runs. Another run scored when Kellen Mlnarik was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Bennington added another insurance run in the third when Noah Langford doubled home a run, extending the lead to 5-2.

Brandt Schmidt earned the win after allowing three runs, two earned, over four innings while striking out five. Brody Lichty provided two scoreless innings of relief, scattering three hits and striking out three before Driggs closed out the final inning to record the save.

A baseball pitcher in a white uniform prepares to throw a pitch, with a blurred foreground player in a green jersey and a baseball in his hand.

The offense finished with seven hits, led by Da Luz and Langford, who each collected two. Driggs drove in three of Bennington’s five RBIs despite batting from the ninth spot in the order, while Connor Smith and Langford each added an RBI.

Although Skutt mounted a late comeback, Bennington held on to secure its second consecutive postseason victory.

With wins in each of its first two tournament games, Post 266 advanced to Sunday’s 4pm matchup against Papillion/La Vista, looking to keep its postseason momentum rolling.

A baseball player running on the field wearing a white uniform with blue accents and the number 16, with a focused expression.
A baseball player in a blue jersey celebrating at first base, while two players in green jerseys observe from the field, with houses in the background.
A group of baseball players from Bennington celebrate a play, with one player wearing jersey number 5 receiving congratulations from teammates in a sunny outdoor setting.
A baseball player in a white uniform with blue accents prepares to bat, with teammates visible in the dugout in the background.
A baseball player swings a bat to hit a baseball during a practice or game. The player is dressed in a light blue jersey and white pants, wearing a helmet. The background includes fencing and blue containers.
A baseball player wearing a blue jersey and white pants catching a fly ball in the outfield.
A baseball player is swinging a bat at a pitched ball while a catcher prepares to catch behind the home plate. The player is wearing a white uniform with a blue helmet, and the catcher is in a black and green outfit.
A baseball player in a white uniform and blue helmet running on a field with green grass and yellow fences in the background.
A young baseball player swings a bat to hit a baseball during a game, with players in the background and a sunny green field.
A baseball player in a white uniform is crouched in an athletic stance on the field, preparing to field a ball.
Two baseball players sitting on the bench, deep in thought, wearing team uniforms and caps.
A baseball player crouches as a batter swings, with the ball heading towards the catcher in a game setting.
A baseball pitcher in a white uniform prepares to throw the ball, leg raised and arm back, with teammates and an umpire visible in the background.
A young baseball pitcher in mid-throw, wearing a white jersey and black cap, with an opposing player in a green jersey visible in the foreground. An umpire watches in the background.

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